“Is that a fact?” James said in a voice devoid of any emotion. It totally creeped me out. “If you leave quietly, now that’s for the best. If not”—his pale eyes flashed, and his face flushed with anger—“I will have Hector and his staff physically toss your fat asses out on the street. Either way, you are never to come back here, and I’ll make sure to alert every other club in the city not to grant you access.”
“You can’t do that. Who the fuck do you think you are?” The crowd of five stood in a half circle around James, attempting to look menacing. To his credit, James didn’t blink.
“I can’t?I can’t?” He quirked a brow and barked out a humorless laugh. “Actually I can. My club, my rules. Gentlemen?” He tipped his chin to Hector, who, along with four of the biggest, nastiest-looking guys I’d seen since I was inside, walked over to the jokers in their Italian suits. “Remove the trash, please.”
Damn.James had balls. The man was a total badass in a thousand-dollar suit. And though he wasn’t more than a few years older than me, he projected a fatherly image.
We stood silently by as security took each man’s arm and pulled them along. All went willingly, but not without shooting James murderous looks and cursing him as they passed. James took it all in stride and even smiled a bit. My main concern, however, was Frankie.
“You okay?” I touched his shoulder. “Did he hurt you?”
“I’m good.” But he couldn’t look me in the eye.
I knew my guy well enough to see how affected he was. Frankie could put on a good act with those who didn’t know him. But not with me.
“No. You ain’t.” I put my arm around him and directed my words to James, who was talking quietly with Rhoades and Austin. “He’s done. I’m gonna take him home.”
Before James had a chance to respond, Frankie pulled away. “The fuck you say.” Eyes flashing fire and full mouth tightened, he stood with his hands on his hips and glared at me. “You don’t get to decide this. I do. This is my space. I decide when and if I need to step away.”
James, Rhoades, and Austin stood by silently. The music had resumed, and Morgan and Tristan danced onstage, but the real show was between Frankie and me.
“I’m only thinking of you. That guy fucking touched you and—”
“And it was handled. And now I go about my job, because that’s what this is. My job.”
“But, Frankie.” I didn’t want him upset. “You gotta—”
“James,” Frankie said, ignoring me completely. “I’m gonna take a break for a sec and then come back out onstage.”
“Take as long as you need,” James said somberly. “If you want to go home, it’s okay. You’ll get paid for a full night.”
“Come on.” I held out my hand. “Let’s get outta here.”
“Stop it. Do you think this is the first time shit like this has happened? We’ve always dealt with it, right, Austin?”
Austin nodded.
“So let me do my thing. You can stay or not if it bothers you. But I’m fine.”
And without another word, he turned and walked swiftly and straight-backed through the club, disappearing down a hallway.
